International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women's Day is marked, remembered and celebrated on March 8 every year. It's a day we can all celebrate - women's achievements and lives of quiet inspiration.
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And let us recognise, honour and celebrate the important and impressive achievements of women globally.
- Activist Emmeline Pankhurst
In different regions, the focus of the celebrations ranges from a general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women, to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.
And whether you believe the day started with the Suffragettes Movement in the UK, where the colours of the movement were green, white and violet, in order to spell GWV as an acronym for 'Give Women Votes', or it started as a socialist political event, March 8 is commemorated in many countries.
From the early 1900's, the almighty and tenacious Suffragettes forged purposeful action for equality. It was the Suffragettes who started International Women's Day, with the first officially named "lnternational Women's Day" event held in 1911.
Values that guide International Women's Day provide direction for the type of action, behaviour and ethos associated with this critical and globally-supported day.
These are the ten values that guide International Women's Day:
Justice
Dignity
Hope
Equality
Collaboration
Tenacity
Appreciation
Respect
Empathy
Forgiveness
And still to this day, International Women's Day continues to be a powerful platform globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.
As modern-day Suffragettes - female, male and all genders - let us continue the work and spirit of the almighty Suffragettes, fighting for equality for all.
And let us recognise, honour and celebrate the important and impressive achievements of women globally.